Overview & Reviews

Nissan was born in Japan, and like other marques from its homeland, the brand is known for crafting vehicles that place an emphasis on quality and reliability. The company's roster of products is broad, and includes sporty coupes, family sedans, minivans, trucks and SUVs.

The automaker got its start in 1933 as the Jidosha Seico Co., Ltd. The following year, this outfit merged with another Japanese manufacturer, and the new company was christened Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. Nissan initially marketed its vehicles under the Datsun brand, with the first Datsuns being built in 1934. Postwar, the brand made its presence felt worldwide, building a partnership with the U.K.-based Austin Motor Co. and establishing a presence in the United States. The first Datsuns hit American shores in 1958. Vehicles like the Datsun 1000 were based on Austin platforms.

The '60s witnessed Nissan's merger with Prince Motor Company, a union that helped the Asian manufacturer create more luxury-focused vehicles. In the U.S. it began offering its first vehicle styled for the U.S. market, the Datsun 510 sedan. By the end of the decade, Datsun had exported more than 1 million vehicles. Datsun rose to prominence in the 1970s on the popularity of its 240Z sports car. Powered by an inline six-cylinder engine, the car was coveted for its blend of style, performance and affordability. By the time the '70s drew to a close, the automaker's cumulative vehicle exports had surpassed the 10 million mark.

In 1981, Nissan shelved the Datsun name and began selling vehicles worldwide under the Nissan moniker. The '80s also saw Nissan's launch of a tuning division called Nismo for the development of performance-oriented vehicles and accessories. Nissan also brought its production to American shores, with the construction of a Georgia-based plant.

The early '90s saw Nissan's fortunes rise in the U.S. thanks to fun-to-drive cars like the 300ZX, Maxima and Sentra. But this trend didn't last long and by the late '90s Nissan's offerings consisted of anonymous vehicles. The company's future was uncertain.

After the turn of the new century Nissan bounced back, helped by a 1999 alliance with Renault that boosted the company's finances. Its redesigned Sentra and Altima boosted sales and consumer interest, as did new models like the 350Z sports car, Armada SUV and Titan pickup. Today the manufacturer is known for offering a wide range of well-regarded vehicles, including the popular Murano SUV, the incredible GT-R supercar and the all-electric Leaf.

User Reviews:

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  Trouble Free - 1996 Nissan Altima
  By Sonny2003 - May 29 - 10:00 am

  Only oil, tires, brakes, fluids, etc in 85000 miles. Very solid second car. Not exciting, but very dependable

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  Most practical in its class - 2013 Nissan Pathfinder
  By mlebauer - May 29 - 9:23 am

  The Pathfinder was not originally on my list, gravitating towards the Mazda CX-5 due to sportiness and fuel economy. When I took the 15 & 17yo boys to look at the new car, they sat in the back of the Mazda and declared, "no way". We headed up car dealer row trying out similar vehicles: Mazda CX-9, Hyundai Santa Fe, Subaru Outback, Toyota Highlander, Chevy Traverse & Equinox, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Journey, Ford Edge and Explorer. Of all those that "fit", the Nissan had the best fuel economy, and the most attractive interior. Its just plain a comfortable ride, with near luxury interior and nice soft leather seats. Good since I was replacing an Escalade and Jaguar with the Nissan.

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  Fun 2-Seat Coupe - 2006 Nissan 350Z
  By No Business Of Yours - May 26 - 2:16 pm

  Bought one used after deciding I needed a new car. Went with the 350Z rather than a WRX or S2000 simply because its sexier than the Subaru and more muscular that the S2000. Been extremely satisfied so far. Drives like a dream, hugs through corners without a complaint, tranny is relatively solid though clunky, and even gets decent MPG for a sports car. Definitely turns heads, especially with the Solar Orange paint, as its more rare to see than the likes of Mustangs and Camaros. My only serious complaint so far is the interior quality -- the black paint- like surfaces are easily scratched up. The interior more or less looks like a cheaply constructed cockpit.

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  Poor Mans 4Runner - 1995 Nissan Pathfinder
  By patrick - May 26 - 8:40 am

  I bought this truck in 99 because a comparable 4 runner was approx 3-4k more. It has been an excellent truck with only 1 major issue (trans) I left it sit outside a couple of salty Illinois winters and that killed the body. Runs awesome,bad a/c lousy mpg,very reliable,eats front brakes,looks cool.The trans would not go into reverse and cost 2250.00 to fix. I still have it with 150k cost me 9k in 1999 and its 2009 not bad considering everything. would buy another just watch for frame rust in rear on midwest and east coast vehicles.

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  The Nissan twin turbo ZX is FAST - 1996 Nissan 300ZX
  By THE-FREAK13 - May 24 - 10:00 am

  Ive had the best racing experince of my life with this car. It will dust any cars in its class such as the Z28 camaro, a V8 mustang, and many more.

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  reminds me of my dads 74 maverick - 2000 Nissan Altima
  By z-man - May 24 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car new as a left over in January 2001 for my wife as a "reliable" vehicle. First year was ok, second year the read end sounded as if it was going to drop out of the car if I went over a speed bump. Dealer ended up replacing bushings on the read torsion bar.....common problem Im told !!?? Then the pulley for the fan belt blows out the bearing and the belt falls off leaving my wife and daughter stranded on the interstate.....bottom line, had to tow the car and the dealer fixed it N/C. The Firestone tires that came on the car are almost bald at 30,000 miles.

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  2 yr/35,000 mile update - 2011 Nissan Juke
  By zoolander1 - May 24 - 2:37 am

  After driving this car for 2 years I thought itd be fair to update my ownership experience. I still like the car, I dont think I love it anymore. Its a fun car, but thats it. When you want to have fun, it delivers, when you want to just drive, it lacks a bit. I went to the dealership for a "check engine" light and they replaced my engine. The A/C makes a split second grinding noise the dealer cant figure out/reproduce. The trust factor is gone, I dont think I want to keep this car past manufaturers warranty. I cant get over 27 hwy mpg. Ive tried it many ways, on many roads, on the AZ flat desert and cant. Its got a lifetime MPG of 25.8

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  Noisy CVT - 2012 Nissan Altima
  By mikej17 - May 23 - 10:39 am

  I am regretting buying this car.The seats sold it for me and the car is beautiful,but on any accelerating the CVT whines and groans.

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  Historic 1995 NissanMaximaQX performance - 1995 Nissan Maxima
  By fnaaijkens - May 20 - 9:13 am

  I have purchased one for Hfl 32000, now EUR15000 in 1997. It had had one owner for a year after being in the showroom for a year. Bought it at 69,000 km (40k miles). I have owned it for 12 years, and the only thing to break down was the dashboard clocks. About after every 350,000 km (200,000 mi) So, I have driven it for 1,300,000 km (800,000 mi) at it still drives like a modern 1-year- old car. It is unbelievable. Because I wanted an automatic, I started out with a Primera for 5 months, then got this one when I was 27 year. Now Im 40 years and still driving it! Amazing.

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  This is NOT a winter vehicle! - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By Joel - May 20 - 4:33 am

  I live in Ottawa, Canada and it can get to -40C here. On one such day (the second day I had it - brand new) the Murano would not start for me. It took about 6 tries over the course of ten minutes. On the seventh try it just started up normally. The dealership didnt know what caused it and couldnt do anything for me unless it was a recurring problem. Another thing, the wiper blades can not be lifted off of the windshield for those freezing rain days. For some reason the hood gets in the way! And another thing, the windsheild spray nozzles are under the hood which can get blocked by snow and ice and can be impossible to clear away. Besides that, I love it. Summer should be great